Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana State nonprofit partnership honored

February 7, 2018

A partnership with Indiana State University helped the YMCAs of the Wabash Valley earn the Mutual of America Nonprofit Partner of the Year award.

The YMCAs' multidimensional partnership with State and its support for future nonprofit professionals dazzled the selection committee and earned the organization the annual honor recognizing a nonprofit organization that demonstrates leadership and commitment through its partnership and support of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

"The YMCAs of Wabash Valley create a variety of opportunities for our students and Certified Nonprofit Professionals to develop and grow in their work," said Susan T. Schmidt, president of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. "We are proud of the great work they are doing to improve communities in the Wabash Valley area."

During spring break, the YMCA partnered with recreation and sports management majors and Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Certification Program students at State to host about 50 children at day camp. The camp helps State students with real-world experience with program planning, logic modeling and program budgeting, while providing Vigo County students with a fun educational science, technology, engineering and math activities.

"The students, the community partner and the faculty members all gain something out of this strategic partnership," said Nathan Schaumleffel, director of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Certification Program at State. "For the students, they're working towards the learning outcomes from the class they are in, the YMCA is meeting benchmarks within their strategic plan through the camp and, for the faculty, we are able to provide a hands-on-learning environment for our students."

Looking back, students say the program left a long-term impact on their careers.

"Everything that went into preparing for the YMCA Spring camp I'm utilizing in one way or another at my internship and will continue to use throughout my career as a recreational therapist," said Indiana State graduate Avery Cooley.

The YMCAs of Wabash Valley has shown its will to further implement programs and activities to ensure those they partner with are getting the most out of the opportunity.

"Ultimately, we want our students to leave this project with the ability to simultaneously maintain physical and emotional safety, enhance leisure, client and caregiver/parent satisfaction, and make measurable, impactful progress on improving STEM and health-related outcomes," Schaumleffel said.

Story Highlights

The YMCAs' multidimensional partnership with State and its support for future nonprofit professionals dazzled the selection committee and earned the organization the annual honor recognizing a nonprofit organization.